Darfur: More than 100 people have been killed in a new wave of fighting in Sudan’s Darfur region, as clashes between the army and paramilitary forces continue to devastate civilian life.
Local medical sources said at least 114 people lost their lives over the past week in attacks on two towns in western Darfur. In Kernoi, assaults linked to the Rapid Support Forces killed 63 people and left 17 others injured. In a separate incident, drone strikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces hit the RSF controlled town of Al Zuruq on Saturday. The strikes reportedly struck a market and nearby residential areas, killing 51 people.
Sudan has been trapped in a brutal conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the army and the RSF. The war has steadily spread across the country, with Darfur emerging as one of the worst affected regions. In October, the RSF captured the army’s last major stronghold in Darfur, deepening fears for civilians trapped in the area.
Both sides have been accused of targeting civilian areas and essential infrastructure. The United Nations has described the conflict as a war of atrocities, warning that ordinary people are paying the highest price.
Much of Darfur remains inaccessible to journalists and aid workers. Information from the region often comes from local volunteers and health workers who rely on satellite internet to alert the outside world to what is happening on the ground.
The human toll of the war continues to rise. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the fighting began, and millions have been forced to flee their homes. According to humanitarian agencies, Darfur has suffered some of the most intense violence and displacement.
The crisis is especially severe for children. A recent survey by the UNICEF in North Darfur found record levels of child malnutrition. The agency warned that without safe access for humanitarian aid, many children could die from preventable causes.
Displacement is also accelerating in other parts of the country. The International Organization for Migration said nearly 11,000 people have been displaced from North and South Kordofan since mid December. Most of them are women and children, many of whom are exhausted, traumatised, or separated from their families. Some children are alone, while others are living with disabilities.
Overall, the war has forced more than 11 million people to flee within Sudan or seek safety in neighbouring countries. Many now live in poor and overcrowded areas, struggling to survive without enough food, medicine, or clean water, as the conflict shows no sign of ending.